Goldplat suspends operations at Ghana plant after trench collapse kills contractor

AIM-listed mining services company Goldplat plc has suspended operations at its gold-recovery plant in Ghana following the commencement of a second investigation into a trench wall collapse that claimed the life of a contractor.

The incident occurred on Thursday, November 5, when the contractor was reportedly digging a trench alongside other workers at the facility. The London-listed company confirmed the fatality in a regulatory filing issued on November 6.

Goldplat expressed condolences to the deceased's family and said its immediate concern was to provide support to the bereaved relatives. However, the company did not disclose the contractor's identity.

"Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones," Goldplat said in its statement.

The company said it promptly notified the relevant Ghanaian authorities after the accident and was cooperating fully with them as investigations continued. It also initiated an internal investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and assess safety procedures at the facility.

Operations at the plant were initially suspended on November 5 to allow preliminary investigations and safety inspections. Work subsequently resumed following an initial assessment.

However, in an operational update issued on Tuesday, November 10, Goldplat announced that a second investigation had commenced, prompting another suspension of activities at the facility.

The company said it expected to provide a further update on its operations before the end of the week.

Despite the temporary shutdown, Goldplat indicated that it did not anticipate any adverse effect on its financial performance.

"At this time, the Company does not expect any impact on its financial performance," it added.

Goldplat operates in Ghana through its wholly owned subsidiary, Gold Recovery Ghana Limited, which manages a gold-processing facility within the Tema Free Zone industrial enclave. The company also operates its flagship recovery facility in Benoni, South Africa.

The Tema facility specialises in recovering gold from mining by-products, including mill liners and wood chips, sourced from major mining companies such as AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont, Perseus and Gold Fields across West Africa and South America.